[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1576-E1577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CHRISTOPHER RAGSDALE

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 11, 2019

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize those men and 
women who continue to serve this great Nation with honor--men such as 
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Christopher Ragsdale, United States Navy.
  For the past year, LCDR Ragsdale served on my staff as a 
Congressional Defense Fellow. A 2007 graduate of the United States 
Naval Academy, LCDR Ragsdale is a proud Surface Warfare Officer who 
served in MCM Crew BULWARK and onboard USS COMSTOCK (LSD-45) and USS 
BENFOLD (DDG-65). During his assignment in my office, LCDR Ragsdale 
provided senior-level input for defense, veterans, foreign affairs and 
intelligence matters. Additionally, he executed his work as a liaison 
to the constituents of Virginia's First Congressional District with 
distinction.
  Furthermore, LCDR Ragsdale provided exceptional support to me as a 
staff liaison to the House Armed Services Committee in my role as the 
Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member. LCDR 
Ragsdale dutifully provided me with guidance on what the Navy's path 
forward should be in critical areas such as training, readiness, and 
manning. His recent experience in the surface community was invaluable 
to my work in Congress.
  As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus and the Co-
Chair of the Navy-Marine Corps Caucus, I relied on LCDR Ragsdale to 
organize quarterly events with government, military, and private sector 
leaders. These events allowed key decisionmakers to work together for 
the advancement of our future Naval Officers as well as the 
construction and repair of the ships on which they will serve.
  LCDR Ragsdale also directly contributed to my goal of providing 
excellent constituent service to the people of the First District. He 
was responsible for bringing numerous constituent inquiries to a 
successful conclusion, and he leveraged his personal and operational

[[Page E1577]]

experience in the Navy to respond to the most challenging inquiries. In 
addition to his efforts locally, LCDR Ragsdale took on projects with 
regional, state, and national implications, demonstrating his ability 
to view a challenge from many angles and develop innovative solutions.
  LCDR Ragsdale's work ethic, duty to mission, and commitment to 
servant leadership is without equal. I believe that his personal drive 
to achieve excellence in his work has and will set a very high standard 
for his peers. I would also like to thank LCDR Ragsdale for the service 
and sacrifice he has made, and continues to make, both for our Nation 
and our great Navy. His impeccable integrity, boundless work ethic, and 
loyal devotion to duty earned him the respect and admiration of my 
staff and the First District of Virginia. I have no doubt that LCDR 
Ragsdale will continue to serve the Navy honorably and with 
distinction.
  I wish Chris and his wife Andrea the best of luck as they continue 
their journey together as a Navy family. It was an honor and a pleasure 
having Chris serve on my staff. We all can sleep soundly at night 
knowing that members of our all-volunteer force like Chris stand ready 
to defend our country and take the fight to our enemies; far away from 
their families and the comforts of the United States of America.
  I thank LCDR Christopher Ragsdale for doing a fantastic job. Best of 
luck to him and may God bless him, his family, and all the Sailors he 
is charged with leading.

                          ____________________